Lenovo plans to broaden its product portfolio beyond personal computers by selling its own video game console. This will put the Chinese company in direct competition with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo over game consoles.
The Ebox is developed by a Lenovo affiliate called Eedoo. Eedoo was established by Lenovo earlier this month and is jointly owned by the computer company and Legend. Lenovo hopes to make 1 million consoles every year. Sixteen game developer companies have already inked contracts with Lenovo.
The Ebox will capture player movements through a camera and transfer them onto the screen. It is very similar to Microsoft’s Kinect platform that des not need a controller for user interaction while playing games. The new console will enter the China markets early next year and is expected to be price at or below $299.
It is remarkable that no other video game console, the Sony PlayStation – Nintendo Wii – Microsoft Xbox, have been officially allowed into China. The only game console legally sold is iQue, a joint venture product between Nintendo and a local partner.
The world market for video gaming products generated an estimated $60 billion dollars in 2009. By 2015 revenues for gaming is expected to rise to $70 billion dollars.